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#1
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Trailer hitch install on my 1985 300TD. (Pictures)
Let me start out by saying this hitch will probably never see much if any use and its for emergency use only to pull my small enclosed trailer should I need to.
I have a new F350 Super Duty Ford pickup for my work vehicle. However I wanted a hitch for old Betsy and she is now ready for towing if the need arises. I bought a Curt hitch from Hitch Anything Item # 118052 (2 inch euro ball) and it was delivered on Black Friday and I installed it the same day. The install did not go as smooth as I hoped,however that's what a grinder and a good nut and bolt bin is made for. Trailer light wiring was also installed at the same time. I will take more photos tomorrow of the underneath where it attaches to the frame and the bumper bolt/hitch bolts. And I will also fix any typos I have, I'm tired and going to bed now. Here is the hitch and all the accessories that came with it. Here's the euro 2 inch ball and other goodies n I took the bumper off and just rested it in the box the hitch came in, this way I did not have to take the backup lights off. Here's the new bumper bolts the short ones are the stock. And the long ones are the new bolts that go on with the hitch. Here's where the new bumper bolts/Hitch bolts go. This is on the left side and to get the bumper bolt/hitch bolts to go in I had to die grind a little off the inside of the access area to get them to fit. Here are the bumper hitch bolts in place. These are the nut holders that go inside the frame rail to give more support to the hitch, note I had to grind some off the flat part of the nut holders to get them to install by letting the bolts line up in the Holes I drilled in the frame. You can see the nut holders here inside the frame rail ready for the bolts to stick up through them. Once the I have the frame bolts in place to hold the hitch , the nuts come back off the veritcal bolts so as the bumper can be re installed. Although very close and pinching the muffler hangers I did not modify anything here. A new muffler and pipe will be installed in a few days so no biggie I will move the muffler hanger then. Here it is installed. |
#2
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Looks very good. I do have one question.
As I recall, each rear bumper-shock originally attaches to three short studs. I saw the new plate with the longer studs for the outboard attachment. Did you need to change anything to fasten the hitch & bumper-shocks to the inboard studs? Happy Motoring, Mark
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DrDKW |
#3
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Quote:
The factory third bolt is reused along with the nut as stated in the Curt hitch install instructions. Last edited by Rockyriver; 12-01-2013 at 09:03 AM. |
#4
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Great. Not just for towing trailers. I use a trailer hitch (my Mopar vehicles) for a bike rack carrier, extra cargo platform (muddy camping tents), and such. Better than hauling a bloody deer inside your nice wagon. Some attachments require the more common 2" receiver, but you can get adapters to fit your 1.25" receiver.
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#6
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I've always thought there's something mildly erotic about those Euro balls. A guy could think of the SLS system as the mechanical viagra necessary to keep it up.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#7
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It is kind manly of me to show off my trailer balls. |
#8
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Quote:
I still have the factory Euro hitch that came with my '84 Euro TD. It's very different from the Curt. All the reinforcing braces go inside the body, including a pair that occupys the sockets for the US bumper-shocks. It only works with the Euro bumper, which came badly mangled when I bought the car. As a PO had already installed a US front bumper, I removed and replaced the rear with a US one - all I could find at the time. Since then, I've acquired a complete set of Euro wagon bumpers with all the rubber and hardware. So I may decide to put it back to OE someday. Though the US bumpers are certainly much more 'idiot' resistant! Happy Motoring, Mark
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DrDKW |
#9
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Along with the bumper bolts the hitch also attaches to the frame rail of the car on both sides.
There is no way that hitch is coming off easily. I'm sure you could pick the car up by the hitch and suspend it in mid air while shaking it and all would stay put. Left side hitch bracket going up to frame. Frame rail bolts. Right side bracket going up to frame. Right side frame rail attachment. Last edited by Rockyriver; 12-01-2013 at 09:27 AM. |
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